Keyboard control unit

ABSTRACT

A keyboard control unit in a data applying machine for controlling a data applying mechanism for applying data to a data carrier which comprises a plurality of first elements provided on a key-operated member and a plurality of second elements connected to said data applying mechanism, at least one of the element groups being manually displaceable in an engageable position and in an unengageable position with the other. With such a keyboard control unit, the control of the data applying mechanism can be effected through a mechanical engaging relations between the first and the second elements and varying of said control can be easily effected by varying said engaging relation according to a code system of a data reading machine employed.

United States Patent [1 1 Asahi et al.

1 Oct. 30, 1973 KEYBOARD CONTROL UNIT [75] inventors: Tetsuma Asahi;Norio l i a segawaj Kaoru Hozumi, all of Tokyo, Japan [73] Assignee:Silver Seiko Co., Ltd., Tokyo,

Japan [22.] Filed: Apr. 9, 1971 211 Appl. No.: 132,640

[30] Foreign Application Priority Data Apr. 11, 1970 Japan. 45/36d i[52] U.S. CL... 197/19, 197/17 [51] Int. Cl. B4lj 5/30 [58] Field OfSearch 197/17, 19, 20, 98,

[56] References Cited I UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,612,240 10/1971 Parker197/19 X 3,269,509 8/1966 Smith 197/17 X 3,317,020 5/1967 Nitschke.....197/17 X 3,165,190 1/1965 Wenczel 197/19 3,189,153 6/1965 Barnard et al.197/98 3,306,417 2/1967 Gassino et al. 197/ 17 3,422,946 1/1969 Rekewitz197/19 3,060,272 10/1962 Bacon et al.... 197/19 3/1965 Greene 197/19Primary Examiner-Edgar S. Burr Assistant Examiner-R. T. RaderAttorneyWoodhams, Blanchard & Flynn 57 ABSTRACT 'A keyboard control unitin a data applying machine for controlling a data applying mechanism forapply- 7 ing data to a data carrier which comprises a plurality of thedata applying mechanism can be effected through a mechanical engagingrelations between the first and the second elements and varying of saidcontrol can be easily effected by varying said engaging relationaccording to a code system of a data reading machine employed.

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KEY BOARD CODE CONVERTER INVENTORS KEYBOARD CONTROL UNIT This inventionrelates to a keyboard control unit in a data applying machine forcontrolling the operation of a mechanism for applying data on a datacarrier, and more particularly to a keyboard control unit of the kindwhich is capable of producing, upon key operation, a

code in any desired code system through a mechanical medium.

According to a conventional data applying machine, the data applied onthe data carrier on the machine is restricted to that of a predeterminedsystem of code. For example, a conventional perforation machine canmerely provide a perforated data tape having thereon a combination ofperforations in accordance with a predetermined system of code. Withsuch conventional machine, the combination of the perforations, namelythe predetermined system of code is absolutely impossible to change itinto another one and therefore it is necessary to additionally employ acode converter for converting the predetermined system of code toanother one, leading to disadvantage from the view points of simplicityin operation and economy. Furthermore, with the conventional machines,there are required a number of code bars which are different in shapefrom one another, thus causing the manufacture of machine to beindustrially uneconomical.

Whereas, there has been proposed another type keyboard control unitincluding an electrical means, in which a code system may be changed toanother one. In this connection, it is to be noted that employing suchan electrical means brings some disadvantages with respect to thestability or the accuracy of the operation and the cost ofmanufacturing.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a keyboardcontrol unit in a data applying machine for controlling the operation ofa mechanism for applying data on a data carrier which is capable ofvarying the control of the data applying mechanism to apply data in anydesired system of code to said data carrier.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a keyboardcontrol unit which is capable of varying the control of a data applyingmechanism through asimple manual Operation.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a keyboardcontrol unit of the character described, which is composed of reducedkinds of parts easy to manufacture and assemble, thus facilitating amass production of the unit and lowering the cost thereof.

It is a still further object of the present invention to provide a tapeperforating machine by which a perforated input data tape for computerscan be obtained in any desired system of code requiredfor the computeremployed, thereby enabling necessity of additionally providing a codeconverter in or independent of the computer to be eliminated.

Essentially, according to the present invention, there is provided akeyboard control unit in a data applying machine for controlling a dataapplying mechanism for applying data to a data carrier comprising aplurality of keys, a plurality of key-operated members connected to anddisplaceable upon operation of said keys, a plurality of bar memberseach rotatable around an axis along the length thereof and connected tothe data applying mechanism for controlling the operation thereof, aplurality of first elements provided on each of said key-operatedmembers, a plurality of second elements provided on each of said barmembers, each element of at least one of the groups of the elementsconsisting of the first elements and the second elements being manuallydisplaceable with respect to its associated member to a position inwhich it is engageable with a predetermined element of the other groupof elements and another position in which is is unengageable with saidpredetermined element, and means for locking the displaceable elementson and with respect to the associated emembers thereby to enable thelatter to move together with the former, said bar members beingselectively driven by the displacement of the keyoperated memberaccording to a prdetermined engaging relation between said both membersat the first and second elements to rotate around said axes thereof tocontrol the operation of said data applying mechanism.

These and other objects and features of this invention will be betterunderstood upon consideration of the following detailed description andthe accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a schematic sectional view of a keyboard control unitembodying the present invention which is employed in a typewriting andperforating machine;

FIG. 2 is a schematic sectional view of a data applying mechanismemployed in a typewriting and perforating machine shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a schematic perspective view of a coding unit employed in atypewriting and perforating machine shown in FIGS. 1 and 2;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged perspective view of an engaging piece and a collarof the coding unit shown in FIG. 3, showing the state in which theengaging piece and the collar are mounted on a bar member;

FIG. 5A is a front view of the engaging piece shown in FIG. 4 and 5B isa side view thereof;

FIG. 6A is a front view of the collar as shown in FIG. 4 and 6B is aside view thereof;

FIG. 7 is a schematic perspective view of another form of coding unitaccording to the present invention;

FIG. 8 is an enlarged perspective view of an engaging piece and alocking piece of the coding unit shown in FIG. 7, showing the state inwhich the engaging piece and the locking piece are mounted on a barmember;

FIG. 9A is a front view of the engaging piece shown in FIG. 8 and 9B isa side view thereof;

FIG. 10A is a front view of the locking piece and 10B is a side viewthereof;

FIG. 11 is a schematic side view of another from of keyboard controlunit employed in a typewriting and perforating machine;

FIG. 12 is a schematic sectional view of still another form of keyboardcontrol unit employed in a typewriting and perforating machine;

FIG. 13 is an enlarged vertical sectional view of an engaging memberemployed in the keyboard control unit shown in FIG. 12;

FIG. 14A is an enlarged top view of the engaging member shown in FIG.13, 14B is a plan view of an engaging plate thereof and 14C'is a sideview of a leaf spring employed in the engaging member, partly shown;

FIG. 15 is a schematic perspective view of still another form of codingunit, shown together with an electric data applying mechanism attachedthereto;

FIG. 16 is a schematic sectional view taken along line 16 16 of FIG. and

FIG. 17 is a block diagram of a code conversion system which may beemployed in association with the data applying mechanism shown in FIG.15.

In the drawings and the following descriptions, like portions or partsare denoted by like numerals or characters.

Referring now to FIGS. 1 to 6, there is illustrated a keyboard controlunit embodying the present invention in the form of an electrictypewriting and perforating machine in which a perforated data tape canbe obtained by a data applying mechanism or punch mechanism. In thepresent embodiment, varying of the control for the punch mechanism iseffected by shifting second elements from engageable position with firstelements to unengageable position therewith or vice versa according to acode system required.

Numeral 1 designates a body of a typewriting and tape perforatingmachine and numeral 2 incidates keys such as digit keys of a numerictype, letter keys of a full key type, or function keys, provided on themachine body 1 at its front portion. Numeral 3 designates key levers asmany as said keys 2. Tail portions 4 of said key levers are pivoted at 7and forward portions 5 thereof said key 2 or said key lever 3 to rotateagainst the action of a spring 12 said hanging lever 9 counterclockwisein FIG. 1 around a fulcrum pin 11 mounted on a key-operated member orsublever 18 fulcrumed at 19.

Numeral 13 designates a drive shaft provided with wings l4 and 14 whichis adapted to continuously rotate in the direction of arrow 15 by amotor (not shown) through a reduction mechanism (not shown).

In this connection, when said hanging lever 9 is rotated as mentionedabove, its lower projection 16 is lowered to enter within the region ofrotation of said wings 14 and 14 and accordingly is caused to be struckby either one of said wings 14 and 14'. The hanging lever 9 is thenpushed in the direction of arrow 17 owing to the rotation of said driveshaft 13 so that the sublever 18 associated therewith, is resultantlyrotated in the direction of arrow 20 around 19. Instantly either one ofsaid wings 14 and 14 of the drive shaft 13 gets over and then off thelower projection 16 of the hanging lever 9, the pushing action by thedrive shaft 13 against said sublever 18 is lost. Each of the sublevers18 has a sectoral portion with a plurality of first elements or fingers21 extending radially from the arcuate outer periphery thereof.

Upon the rotation of said sublever 18, a universal bar 22 of a universalbail is moved pivotally at 19 to operate a clutch (not shown) forconnecting said drive shaft 13 to a driving shaft 57 of a punchmechanism. As a result, said driving shaft 57 is rotated one completerotation, in the manner as mentioned later.

Numeral 23 indicates type levers respectively corresponding to theassociated keys 2 and connected to the respective sublevers or actuatorlevers 18 by respective links 24. When the sublever or actuator lever 18is rotated in the direction of arrow mark 20 owing to the rotation ofthe drive shaft 13, the corresponding type lever 23 is turnedcounterclockwise in FIG. 1 around 25 as in a conventional type leversegment, to perform a typing on a paper 27 rolled on a platen 26 of aconventional platen carriage. The hanging lever 9, sublever l8 and typelever 23 return to their original positions as shown in FIG. 1,respectively, by the action of the spring 12 after completion of thetyping.

As illustrated in FIG. 4, each of bar members 28 is provided with agroove or keyway 29 along the length thereof. On each bar member 28 aremounted a plural ity of second elements or engaging pieces 34 andcollars 37 shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, respectively. Said engaging pieces 34are mounted on each of their associated members or bar members 28 at oneportion thereof near to a side wall 31 as mentioned below. Each enagingpiece 34 is provided with an outwardly extending finger 35, a centerhole which fits to the bar member 28 and a projection 36 extendinginwardly of said center hole from the bar member. Said projection 36fits to said groove 29 of the bar 28 whereby the engaging piece 34 ismanually movable on and removable from the bar member 28 in thelongitudinal direction of the latter, and it is rotatable together withthe bar member 28 through engagement of the projection 36 of the formerwith the grooved portion of the latter. Said projection 36 of theengaging piece 34 and the groove 29 of the bar member 28 act as a meansfor locking the engaging piece on the bar member 28 in the direction ofrotation of the latter. Alternatively, the bar member 28, the centerhole of the engaging piece 34 and the center hole of the fixing meansmay respectively be formed in square, round and square to obtain thesame effect. The engaging piece 34 and the collar or spacing member 37have a similar length in the longitudinal direction of the bar member 28when mounted on the latter, said length being determined according tothe pitch or spacing between said sublevers 18. Engaging pieces 34 andcollars 37, when mounted on a bar 28, are each aligned with a sublever18, the fingers 35 of the engaging pieces being each directed towardsthe aligned sublever 18. The engaging pieces 34 are mounted on each ofthe bar members 28 at the positions aligned with the respectivelyconfronting sublevers 18. In case the sublevers 18 are replaced by aconventional code bar as employed in an encoding device, the engagingmembers are provided in the position aligned with projections or teethof said code bar. In this connection, some of the engaging pieces 34 maybe omitted according to the codes corresponding to the keys associatedwith the respective sublevers 18. Thus, a set of engaging pieces 34 andcollars 37 are arranged on every bar 28 in accordance with the codesystem or type of code employed. As illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 3, the barmembers 28 which are arranged in parallel are rotatably supported by apair of side walls 31 and 31' and are disposed adjacent the periphery ofthe sector portion of sublever 18, being disposed in an arcuate pathgenerated about the pivot 19. Said side walls 31 and 31 are removablyattached to a frame member 30 by four bolts and nuts 30'. The side wall31 is provided with a pair of threaded holes 33' and a pair ofpositioning recesses 32. The side wall 31 is also provided with similarthreaded holes and positioning recesses (not shown). Each ofa pair ofside frames 33 of the machine (one of said side frames is illustrated inFIG. 3) is provided with a pair of holes 33'a which are somewhat larger,for adjustment, than said threaded holes 33' of the side wall 31' andalso with a pair of positioning studs 32'a. The side wall 31 may befixed by means of the threaded holes 33' and screws or bolts through theholes 33'a with said recesses 32 of the side wall 31 or 31 receivingsaid positioning studs 32a. The side wall 31 may also be fixed in thesame manner. Thus, the side walls 31 and 31' fixed to said frame memberand bar members 28 are removably attached to the machine body 1. Saidside walls 31 and 31, frame member 30, bar members 28, etc., constitutea unit A which will be hereafter referred to as coding unit. Thus, thecoding unit is removable from the machine body 1. On the portion of eachbar member 28 near to the side wall 31', apart from the engaging pieces34 and collars 37 arranged as mentioned' before, is mounted a workingpiece 34' formed similar to the engaging piece 34. The positions ofworking pieces 34' in the length of the bars 28 are different from oneanother, as illustrated in FIG. 3.

In this embodiment, the fingers 21 are formed integrally with theirassociated member or sublever 18.

The finger of each engaging piece 34 is engageable with one of thefingers 21 of the corresponding sublever 18. Through such an engagementof the engaging piece 34 with the finger 21, said finger 21 or thesublever 18 is connected to the bar member 28 on which said engagingpiece 34 is mounted to rotate said bar member 28 upon an operation ofthe key associated therewith and a resultant displacement of the keyoperated member, or the sublever 18. Said displacement of the keyoperated member is perpendicular to the axis of said bar member 28. y

In the present embodiment, each of the bar members 28, each of thelevers 39 and each of punch pins except a punch pin for a feed hole,corresponds to one another. However, there may be provided acorresponding bar member 28 and a corresponding lever 39 to a punch pinfor a feed hole.

It is therefore easily understood that one or more engaging pieces 34are necessary for one bar member 28 at its portion near to said sidewall 31 but that one working piece 34' is sufficient for one bar member28 or for a corresponding lever 39 at its portion near to said side wall31.

It will thus be seen that when the sublever 18 is rotated upon thedepression of the associated key 2, the bar members 28 are selectivelyrotated through the engaging pieces 34 in the engageable positions.Resultantly, the corresponding levers 39 are turned counterclockwise inFIG. 2 around 38 and accordingly levers 40 associated therewithclockwise around 41. The links 42 associated with said levers 40 arethen pulled, to rotate associated bell cranks 43 around 44 clockwise inFIG. 2 against the actions of springs 45. When the bell crank 43 isrotated as mentioned above to lower, a bit, its bent portion 46, a lever47 is rotated clockwise around 48 by the action of a spring 49. The bentportion 46 of said bell crank 43 rests against said lever 47, at thelowest position of its locking edge 47, owing to friction therebetween.

Numeral 50 designates a hook member having a projection 53 which is inan engageable position with a hanging portion 55 of a reciprocatinglever 54 when said lever 47 is kept in its normal position as shown inFIG. 2. Said hook member 50 is always urged to rotate counterclockwisearound 52 by the action of a spring but normally positioned as shown inFIG. 2 since its bent portion 51 engages with the lever 47. Whereas, insuch a state in which the lever 47 is kept in the rotated position asmentioned above, the projection 53 of the hook member is in its loweredposition where it is not engageable with the hanging portion of thereciprocating lever 54.

After the hook member 50 has been lowered as mentioned above, thedriving shaft 57 is caused to rotate through the operation of theaforementioned clutch. The clutch employed in the present embodiment isa so-called half-rotation clutch which becomes inoperative aftercompletion of one half-rotation. The driving shaft 57 is rotated onecomplete rotation with the l-rotation of the drive shaft 13 (by means ofpulleys and a belt). During the complete rotation of said driving shaft57, a frame member 56 is laterally reciprocated by the action of aneccentric cam provided on said driving shaft 57. Meanwhile, saidreciprocating lever 54, which is, in this instance, not prevented fromadvancing by said projection 53, performs its reciprocal movement tooperate a punch pin through a connecting link 58 and a rotatable member59 to effect a perforating operation on the paper tape in cooperationwith a die. On the other hand, the reciprocating lever 54, which is, inthis instance, engaged with the projection 53, is rotatedcounterclockwise in FIG. 2. Accordingly, the punch pin 60 is not driven,so that perforation is not effected. Thus, a perforating operation isperformed, based on a code corresponding to the key depressed. Aftercompletion of the perforating operation, a clear bail 61 controlled by acam mounted on the shaft 57 is operated to lift the right end portionsof the levers 47 which were in the lowered position to return saidlevers 47 to their original positions as depicted in FIG. 2 forcancelling the displacement of the hook member 50. The associated levers40 and 39 and bar members 28 are returned to their original positions bythe action of the springs 45. Another spring may be provided inassociation with each of levers 40 or bar members 28 to return thelatter to its normal position. Then, the tape t is fed by one pitch offrames by a tape feeding sprocket in cooperation with a cam (not shown)mounted on the driving shaft 57 for the following perforation. In thisconnection, for the feed hole, there may be provided no projection asdenoted by numeral 53 so that said reciprocating lever 54 can bereciprocated by every key operation to operate the punch pin for thefeed hole.

The foregoing description is concerned with a tape perforating machineemploying a keyboard control unit according to the present inventionand, in the following, said keyboard control unit is explained more indetail.

In the present keyboard control unit, a combination of perforations perframe perforated by depression of a key, namely, a code system, iseasily varied to another code corresponding to a code system of aperforated tape reading machine by varying an engaging relation betweenthe sublevers l8 and the bar member 28.

When it is required to vary a code system according to a code system ofa tape reading machine employed, in the present embodiment, the codingunit A is removed off from the body of the typewriting and tapeperforating machine prior to setting or resetting the second elements,or the engaging pieces 34 in the engageable positions and the collars 37in the unengageable positions according to the code system of said typereading machine by removing said engaging pieces and said collars fromthe bar members and remounting them on said bar members in the lateraldirection.

As apparent from the foregoing description, according to the instantembodiment of the present invention in which second elements or engagingpieces operable in the engaging relation with first elements areslidable on said bar members in its longitudinal direction, varying ofthe code system or the combination of perforations perforated bydepression of a key is easily effected according to a code system ofa'tape reading machine by setting and resetting said engaging pieces inthe engageable positions required. Further in the pres ent embodimentthe keyboard control unit can be readily dismantled. Therefore, such anoperation to vary a code system is carried out easier and repair of apossible trouble between the first and the second elements is also madeeasier.

Referring now to FIGS. 7 to 10, there is illustrated a modification ofthe foregoing keyboard control unit which is capable of setting andfixing engaging pieces in engageable positions with first elements incooperation with fixing pieces without removing off said engaging piecesfrom bar members on which said engaging pieces are mounted.

In the present embodiment, alike the first embodiment, a coding unit Bas shown in FIG. 7 is composed of bar members 38, side walls 31 and 31and a frame member 30.

As different from said first embodiment, a second element or an engagingpiece 62 is fixed, in an engageable position with a first element, bymeans of a fixing or locking piece 63 in cooperation with a stopper 67and a spring 68. Said engaging piece 62 is rotatable around the axis ofthe bar member 28 and slidable in its longitudinal direction. The fixingpiece 63 is mounted on the bar member 28 in combination with theengaging piece 62 to lock said engaging piece 62 selectively in eitheran engageable position or an unengageable position. A projection 64formed on the inner surface of said fixing piece 63 engages with agroove 29 of the bar member 28 to prevent said fixing piece 63 fromrotating around said bar member 28 but allow said fixing piece 63 toslide on said bar member 28 in its longitudinal direction. Pairs ofengaging piece 62 and fixing piece 63 as many as the number of the keys2 are preliminarily mounted on each bar member 28 and urged in thelongitudinal direction of each bar member by the compression spring 68.The stopper 67 is fixed on each bar member 28 in a predeterminedposition.

In this connection, for setting the engaging piece 62 in the engageableposition with a confronting finger 21 of a sublever 18 correspondingthereto, said engaging piece 62 is locked by the fixing piece 63 byengaging its projections 65 and 65 with grooves 66 and 66' of theengaging piece 62, thus preventing said engaging piece 62 from beingrotated with respect to the bar member.

Thus, the bar members 28 are connected with the corresponding sublevers18, which are in the engaging relation with the engaging pieces 62mounted on said bar members 38. On the other hand, when it is requiredto reset said engaging piece 62 into unengageable position for varying acode system, said engaging piece 62 is to be disengaged from the fixingpiece 63 against the action of the spring 68 and then manually mated by180 to depose its engaging end portion in a diametrically oppositeposition. Then, the abovementioned engaging relation between the barmember 28 on which the engaging piece 62 is mounted and the sublever 18is cancelled.

It is apparent from the above description of the present embodiment thatthe relation between the first elements and the second elements asmentioned above may be exchanged to obtain the similar effects.

Other types of fixing means than the fixing piece 63 may, of course, bealternatively employed, for instance, a protuberance formed on theengaging piece 62 and engageable with the groove 29 of the bar member28. For fixing the engaging piece 62, further alternatively, the barmember 28 may be threaded in the radial direction and the engaging piece62 is threaded or holed in the radial direction so that said engagingpiece 62 is fixed to said bar member 28 by a screw.

Referring to FIG. 1 1, there is illustrated a further embodiment of thepresent invention, a keyboard control unit in which varying the controlfor a data applying mechanism is effected by setting or resetting firstelements in an engageable or unengageable position with second elements,as different from the foregoing embodiments, according to a code systemof a tape reading machine employed.

Numeral 70 designates key-operated members of the present keyboardcontrol unit, each of which includes a plate 71, a plurality of engagingpieces or first elements 72, a plurality of fixing springs 73, aplurality of stopper pins 74 and a plurality of pivoting pins 75. Saidplate 71 is supported vertically by a supporting rod 78 and 78'extending through elongated slots 77 and 77 formed on the key operatedplate 71 at its end portions. Each of said key-operated members 70 isassociated with a key 2 and a sublever 18 to be displaced in thedirection of arrow 76, by a predetermined length of the elongated slots77 and 77, upon actuation of the corresponding key 2.

A coding unit 79 of the present key-board control unit comprises barmembers 80 and engaging plates or second elements 81 secured to said barmembers 80 and are disposed perpendicularly to the movement of saidkey-operated member 70. Alike the foregoing embodiments 79, there areprovided second elements 81 as many as the number of codes, eight secondelements in the present embodiment.

Each second element 81 is normally positioned so as to direct upwardly,and adapted to be rotated in the direction of arrow 82 around an axisalong the length, through the engaging relation between the firstelement or the engaging piece 72 set in an engageable position and thesecond element or the engaging plate 81, upon the displacement of thekey-operated member 70 in the direction of arrow 76.

To one or both terminals of each second element 81 is connected anadequate means for receiving the rotation of said second element, suchas a punch pin controlling solenoid circuit, or a magnetic taperecorder.

The engaging pieces or the first elements 72 which are in the engagingrelation with the second element 81 are provided as mamy as the numberof codes, or the number of the second elements 81, on every bar member80. Each of said engaging pieces 72 is rotatably pivoted by the pivotingpin and pressed at its one end by the fixing spring 73 which is securedto the keyoperated plate 71 to lock said end of the engaging piece 72above or below a curved portion of said spring 73.

When said engaging piece 72 is fixed with its one end locked above thecurved portion of the spring 73, it other end or its engaging end,projects downwardly below said keyoperated plate 71 into the engageableposition with the engaging plate 81 as shown by the first, third,seventh or eighth engaging piece from the left in FIG. 11. Whereas, whensaid engaging piece 72 is fixed with its one end locked below saidcurved portion of the spring 73, it engaging end is kept in theunengageable position with the engaging plate 81 as shown by the restengaging pieces 72. The engaging piece 72 can be easily set or resetinto either one of the above-mentioned two positions by a manualoperation, depending upon a code system of a data applying machine.

The stopper pin 74 acts to prevent the engaging piece 72 from beingrotated clockwise in FIG. 11. Thus, the engaging piece 72 of thekey-operated member 70 which is in the engageable position can rotatethe bar member 80.

In the present keyboard control unit as mentioned above, a key operationis changed into a code as will be explained in the following.

When a key is operated, the key-operated member 70 associated therewithis moved in the direction of arrow 76 pursuant to the guide by the slots77 and 77 in cooperation with the shafts 78 and 78'. The second elements81 corresponding to the respective engaging pieces 72 which are lockedin the engageable position are rotated in the direction of arrow 82together with bar members 80. In FIG. 11, the first, third, seventh andeighth bar members 80 from the left are thus rotated. Thus, the keyoperation is transmitted to some above-mentioned data applyingmechanism, such as a punch pin controlling solenoid circuit, or amagnetic tape recorder.

The key-operated member and the second elements, after transmitting thekey-operation to the data applying mechanism, return to their respectiveoriginal positions by some adequate means, to prepare for a further keyoperation.

Since the second element is adapted to be rotated together with a barmember 80, to transmit a key operation to the data applying mechanismdirectly by the displacement of the first element, the key operation iseasily coded.

An operation required for varying a code system into another one or howto make a code belonging to another code system by an operation of thekey as mentioned above is explained in the following.

The first elements 72 previously set according to one code system andrequired to be reset according to a code system of a newly employed datareading machine, are to be deposed from the engageable position to theunengageable position or vice versa upon comparison between the formercode system and the latter code system.

Stated illustratively, provided that the first, third, seventh andeighth engaging pieces 72 are required to be set in the engageablepositions, as shown in FIG. 11, for coding a numeral 1 in A type codesystem, the second and sixth engaging pieces 72 are to be set into theengageable position and the third and seventh engaging pieces 72 are tobe reset into the unengageable position in order to vary such a codesystem into another B type code system in which the first, second, sixthand eighth engaging pieces are required to be in the engageablepositions for coding a numeral 1. For other first elements or for codingother numerals, a similar operation is required to vary a code system.Thus, code variation is easily performed by a simple manual operation.

As apparent from the foregoing, according to the present embodiment ofthis invention, a keyboard control unit which comprises a plurality ofkey-operated member displacement in the longitudinal direction thereofupon depression of keys and a plurality of second elements adapted to beselectively actuated upon displacement of the key-operated membersaccording to the engaging relation between first elements mounted onsaid key-operated members and engaging plates or the second elements toconvey key depression to a data applying mechanism, each of said firstelements or engaging pieces being locatable either in an engageableposition or an unengageable position with the engaging plates or thesecond elements in cooperation with fixing means provided on thekey-operated members, so that such engaging relation between the firstand the second elements is variable by selectively setting or resettingsaid engaging pieces in the engageable position to arbitrarily vary acode system. Therefore, variation of a code system can be effectedaccording to necessity by either a manufacturer or a user. The presentkeyboard control unit in a data applying machine eliminates possiblenecessity of replacing a data applying machine, a whole keyboard controlunit or a part thereof with another, depending upon a code system of adata reading machine. The above-mentioned character is not onlyadvantageous for the user but also convenient for the manufacturer tomass-produce it. The present keyboard control unit has a furtheradvantage that code variation is effected only by a mechanical meanswithout employing any electrical means such as a switch or a diode, tomanufacture the unit at a reasonable cost.

Referring now to FIGS. 12 to 14, there is illustrated a still furtherembodiment of the present invention, a keyboard control unit in whichvarying the control for a data applying mechanism is effected by settingor resetting second elements in engageable or unengageable position withfirst elements without removing a coding unit from a machine body.

Numeral 83 designates a key operated plate displaceable upon operationof a corresponding key 2", and supported vertically by supporting shafts85 and 85 Each of said key-operated member 83 is adapted to be displacedin the direction of arrow 86 pursuant to the guide by elongated slots 84and 84' formed on said plate 83 near its end portions, in cooperationwith the supporting shafts 85 and 85'. In the present embodiment, eightengaging projections or first elements 87 are formed on saidkey-operated plate 83 along one longituidnal edge thereof which areengageable with the corresponding second elements 90, respectively, to

rotate them. However, according to a code system,

five, six or a desired number of projections may be alternatively formedon the plate 83.

A coding unit 88 comprises a tubular member or a bar member 89, aplurality of engaging plates or tubular members 89 are provided as manyas the number of the first elements. Said tubular member 89 is supportedrotatably around its axis and has T-shaped slots 92 formed in thelongitudinal direction thereof each of which faces the confrontingprojection 87 and elongated slots 93 formed on the tubular member 89diametrically opposite the respective T-shaped slots 92. In the top viewof the slots as shown in FIG. 14A, the rectangular portion of the slot92 is just over the slot 93. The retangular portions of the slots 92 andthe slots 93 are formed, in size, enough to receive the engaging plate90 in the width and length. The recessed portion 92 of the slots 92 isformed just enough to receive the portion 90 or 90 narrowed by recesses94 and 95 formed on the side of the engaging plate 90. Said engagingplate 90 is locked in either an upper position or a lower position withreference to the tubular member 89 in the engaging relation between therecessed portion 92 and the narrowed portion 90 or 90".

To ensure the fixing of the engaging plates 90 in either of theabove-mentioned two positions with reference to the tubular member 89,the spring member 91 is provided with tongues 96 in the positionsconfronting the respective slots 92 or 93. The tongues 96 act to pressthe respective engaging plates 90 and lock them in the recessed portions92' of the slots.

The slits between the respective tongues 96' of the spring members 91are, in length, three fourths the width thereof, which serve to operatethe tongues independently of each other and increase the resiliency ofthe respective tongues 96.

In virtue of the action by the tongue 96 of the spring member 91, theengaging plate 90 is securely held in either the upper position or thelower position and not displaced unless a power enough to overcome thepressure of the spring member 91 is applied to the upper portion of theengaging plate 90.

Coding operation is performed as follows.

When the key 2" is depressed, one of key operated members 83 which isassociated therewith is displaced, through a sublever, or an actuatorlever 18"]in the direction of arrow 86. Upon the displacement of thekeyoperated member 83, the engaging plates 90 facing the projections orthe first elements 87 and set in the upper positions are engaged attheir operating ends 90" with said projections 87. Then, the tubularmembers 89 having the above-mentioned engaging plates 90 are rotated inthe direction of arrow 97.

It will be thus seen in FIG. 12 that when the keyoperated member 83 isdisplaced, the fourth, fifth and eighth tubular members 89 are rotatedand their rotations are transmitted to some adequate data applyingmechanism connected to the respective tubular members 89, such as asolenoid circuit for controlling a punch pin in a tape perforatingmachine, or a control circuit for a magnetic taper recorder.Accordingly, it is to be noted that the keyboard control unit of thepresent invention is applicable for various purposes.

The tubular member 89, after being rotated to transmit a key depressionto a data applying mechanism, returns to its original position throughan appropriate means connected to the tubular member 89. The keyoperatedmember 83 also returns to its original position by an adequate means toprepare for a further key operation.

An operation required for varying a code system or how to make a codebelonging to different code system by an operation of the key asmentioned above is explained in the following.

As mentioned above, a coding operation is effected depending upon theengaging relation between the engaging projections 87 of thckey-operated member 83 which is displaceable upon the key-operation andthe second elements 90. Therefore, said second elements or engagingplates are positioned either in the upper engageable positions or in thelower unengageable positions according to the required code system,varying the engaging relation between the first and the second elements87 and 90, to convert a code system.

More particularly, the engaging plate 90 required to change its positionis manually forced back to the rectangular portion of the slot 92against the action of the spring member 91 to shift said engaging plate90 downwardly or upwardly to position its narrowed portion 90 or 90" inthe recessed portion 92. Similar operations are repeated for theengaging plates 90 which are required to change their position to vary acode system.

Thus, the keyboard control unit according to the present invention iscapable of applying a code of any code system to a data reading machine.

As can be easily understood from the foregoing description, according tothe present embodiment, varying a control of a data applying mechanismis effected easily without removing a coding unit from a data applyingmachine.

In this connection, it is to be noted that bar members as employed inthe first and the second embodiments may be arranged horizontally, alikethe present embodiment, by making some modification in a structure ofthe keyboard control unit.

Referring now to FIGS. 15 and 16, there is illustrated a furthermodification of the keyboard control unit in which the data applyingmechanism of the data applying machine is controlled by electrical orelectromechanical means. For the purpose, there are provided a pluralityof contact switch means on a coding unit C similar to the coding unit Bshown in FIG. 7.

Levers 98, 98', 98" as many as the number of bar members which are quitesimilar to those employed in the foregoing embodiment are respectivelyprovided with projections 100, 100', 100 which are respectivelyengageable with the corresponding working pieces mounted on said barmembers and crooked projections 101, 101, 101" which operatecorresponding contacts 102, 102, 102" respectively, when displaced. Saidcontacts 102, 102', 102" are normally kept opened by contact holders103, I03, 103" and connected to a connector 104 through lead wires. Thelead wires from the respective contacts of each switch means areconnected to 105 and 105, respectively. Said connector 104 is furtherconnected to a magnetic tape recorder or a solenoid type perforator.

In case the present keyboard control unit is connected to a magnetictape recorder having eight heads, eight-parallel-track code is recordedon a magnetic tape. While, said keyboard control unit is connected to amagnetic taper recorder having a single head, a code converter isemployed between said keyboard control unit and said magnetic taperecorder for converting a parallel multi-unit code to another serialmulti-unit code, as shown in FIG. 17.

The terms and expressions which have been employed are used as terms ofdescription and not of limitation, and there is no intention in the useof such terms and expressions of excluding any equivalents of thefeatures shown and described or portions thereof, but it is recognizedthat various modifications are possible within the scope of theinvention claimed.

We claim:

1. In a data applying machine having a mechanism for applying data on adata carrier, a keyboard control unit for controlling said mechanism,said keyboard control unit comprising a plurality of keys, a pluralityof key-operated members connected to and displaceable upon operation ofsaid keys, a plurality of elongated bar members each rotatable aroundthe longitudinally extending axis thereof and means connecting said barmembers to said data applying mechanism for controlling the operationthereof, and code means coacting between said key-operated members andsaid bar members for causing rotation of said bar members in response todisplacement of said key-operated members by said keys;

said code means including a group of first elements with a plurality ofsaid first elements being mounted on each of said key-operated members,a group of second elements with a plurality of said second elementsbeing mounted on each of said bar members, and means mounting theelements associated with one group on the respective members forpermitting said elements associated with said one group to beindividually manually displacable with respect to aid respective membersbetween a first position in which said elements associated with said onegroup are individually engageable with a selected element associatedwith the other group and a second position in which said elementsassociated with said one group are not engageable with said selectedelements of said other group, and means for holding said elements ofsaid one group on and with respect to the respective members to enablesaid elements of said one group and said respective members to movetogehter as a unit, whereby said bar members are selectively driven bythe displacement of the key-operated members according to thepredetermined engaging relationship between said first and secondelements to cause said bar members to rotate around the axes thereof tocontrol the operation of said data applying mechanism.

2. A machine according to claim 1, wherein said first elements arefixedly secured to the respective keyoperated members, and wherein saidsecond elements are rotatably mounted on their respective bar membersfor rotation relative to said bar members about the longitudinallyextending axes thereof, each of said second elements being selectivelymanually swingable relative to its respective bar member about thelongitudinal axis thereof between said first and second positions, saidfirst and second positions being angularly displaced from one another,each of said second elements having a radially projecting portionadapted for engagement with a selective one of said first elements whensaid second elements are in said first position.

3. A machine according to claim 2, wherein said holding means includes alocking element disposed adjacent each of said second elements, saidlocking elements being nonrotatably secured to'the respective barmembers, each said locking element and an associated second elementhaving locking means coacting therebetween for nonrotatablyinterconnecting said locking element and said second element togetherwhen said second element is in either of said first and secondpositions, said second element being axially movable relative to itsrespective locking element so as to disconnect said locking means forenabling said second ele ment to be selectively angularly rotatedbetween said first and second positions, and biassing means normallyresiliently urging said second element and said locking element axiallytoward one another.

4. A machine according to claim 2, wherein each key-operated membercomprises a lever member mounted for swinging movement within a planewhich is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinally extendingaxes of said bar members, said lever member having an arcuate segmentwith a plurality of circumferentially spaced fingers projecting radiallyfrom the outer periphery thereof, said fingers comprising said firstelements, and said plurality of bar members being disposed adjacent theouter periphery of said arcuate segment and being positioned along anarcuate path generated substantially about the center of rotation ofsaid lever member.

5. A machine according to claim 1, wherein said first elements aremounted for rotatable movement on said key-operated members, each ofsaid first elements being individually selectively rotatable betweensaid first and second positions relative to the respective keyoperatedmember, said first and second positions being angularly spaced from oneanother.

- 6. A machine according to claim 5, wherein said holding meanscomprises spring detent means mounted on said key-operated member andcoacting with each of said first members for resiliently maintainingeach of said first members in either of said first or second positions.

7. A machine according to claim 5, wherein each of said key-operatedmembers is mounted for reciprocating movement within a planesubstantially perpendicular to the longitudinally extending axes of saidbar members, said bar members being disposed in substantially paralleland adjacent side-by-side relationship so as to extend along one edge ofsaid key-operated member, and a plurality of said first elements beingdisposed within a row on each of said key-operated members, the firstelements within each row being disposed with the rotational axes thereofbeing substantially parallel.

8. A machine according to claim 1, wherein said second elements aremovably mounted on the respective bar members for movement between saidfirst and second positions with respect to said bar members, and meansmounting said second elements on said bar members for enabling saidsecond elements to be individually and selectively moved radiallyrelative to the respective bar members between said first and secondpositions, said second position being spaced radially inwardly from saidfirst position relative to the respective bar member.

9. A machine according to claim 8, wherein the second elements arenonrotatably fixed relative to the respective bar members, and springmeans coacting between said second elements and the respective barmembers for resiliently maintaining said second elements in either ofthe selected first or second positions.

10. A machine according to claim 9, wherein said second elementscomprise plate-like members which extend through a slot formed in therespective bar member and project radially from the respective barmember, the respective bar member having a hollow portion formed thereinin the vicinity of the plate-like member and said spring means beingdisposed within said hollow portion and coacting between said platelikemember and said bar member for maintaining said platelike member in theselected first or second position.

11. In a data applying machine having a mechanism for applying data on adata carrier, a keyboard control unit for controlling said mechanismcomprising a plurality of keys, a plurality of key-operated membersconnected to and displaceable upon operation of said keys and eachhaving a plurality of engaging members attached thereto and a pluralityof bars each rotatable around the longitudinal axis thereof andconnected to said data applying mechanism, means movably mounting eachof said engaging members on its respective key-operated member forpermitting each engaging member to be individually and selectivelymanually displaced between a first position in which it is engageablewith one of said bars and a second position in which it is notengageable with said bars, the bars being selectively driven accordingto the displacement of the keyoperated member to rotate around axesthereof to control the operation of said data applying mechanism.

12. A keyboard control unit as claimed in claim 11 wherein resilientmeans is provided adjacent each of said engaging members for holding theengaging member alternatively in the first and the second positions, andstopper means mounted on the key-operated member and coacting with eachsaid engaging member for holding the engaging member in the engageableposition when said engaging member engages on of said bars.

13. In a data applying machine having a mechanism for applying data on adata carrier, a keyboard control unit for controlling said mechanismcomprising a plurality of keys, a plurality of key-operated membersarranged in parallel and each connected to a corresponding key, each ofsaid key-operated members having a plurality of fingers projectingtherefrom, support frame means removable from a machine frame, aplurality of bars rotatably supported by and removable from said supportframe means and arranged in parallel with each other so as to bepositioned transversely to said keyoperated members when said framemeans is fixed to the machine frame, a plurality of engaging membersnonrotatably mounted on and rotatable together with said bars andremovable therefrom in the longitudinal direction thereof saidkey-operated members being displaceable perpendicularly to said barmembers, each of said engaging members having a radial projection whichis engageable by a finger of a key-operated member when said supportframe means is fixed to the machine frame, and spacing members mountedon and removable from said bars and each having a width similar to thatof said engaging members, said bars having the engaging members and thespacing members alternatively mounted thereon, said bars beingselectively driven at the engaging members thereof according to thedisplacement of the key-operated member to rotate around the axesthereof to control the operation of said data applying mechanism.

14. In a data applying machine having a mechanism for applying data on adata carrier, a keyboard control unit for controlling said mechanismcomprising a plurality of keys, a plurality of key-operated membersconnected to and displaceable upon operation of said keys and eachhaving a plurality of fingers extending therefrom, a plurality of barsrotatable around the longitudinal axes thereof and connected to saiddata applying mechanism, each of said bars having a plurality of axiallyspaced slots extending radially thereof, and a plurality of engagingplates inserted in'said slots of said bars and each plate beingindividually and selectively manually adjustable in the radial directionwith respect to the bar between an outer position in.which it isengageable at an end portion thereof by a finger of a keyoperated memberand an inner position in which it is not engageable with said finger,said bars being selectively driven according to the displacement of akeyoperated member to rotate around the axes thereof to control theoperation of said data applying mechanism.

15. A keyboard control unit as claimed in claim 14, wherein each of thebars has a resilient member inserted in a center hole thereof, saidresilient member engaging one of said plates for holding same in eitherthe inner or outer positions.

16. In a data applying machine having a mechanism for applying data on adata carrier, a keyboard control unit for controlling said mechanismcomprising a plurality of keys, a plurality of key-operated membersconnected to and displaceable upon operation of said keys and eachhaving a plurality of fingers extending therefrom, a plurality of barseach rotatable around the longitudinal axis thereof and connected tosaid data applying mechanism for controlling the operation of thelatter, a plurality of engaging members each axially slidably mounted onand rotatable relative to said bars and each having a projection, arespective engaging member of a bar corresponding to a respective fingerof a key-operated member, a plurality of locking members axiallyslidably mounted on and nonrotatably connected with said bars,releasable coupling means coacting between each locking member and oneof said engaging members for nonrotatably connecting said engagingmember to said bar to permit co-rotation thereof, the coupling of theengaging member with the corresponding locking member being manuallyreleasable due to said engaging member and the corresponding lockingmember being relatively axially moved away from one another, and meansfor positioning said coupled engaging members on the bars in theposition in which said engaging members are aligned with saidkey-operated members, each said engaging member being selectively andindividually manually rotatable relative to its respective bar between afirst position in which its projection is engageable with said fingerand a second position in which its projection is not engageable withsaid finger, said bars being selectively driven according to thedisplacement of a key-operated member to rotate around said axes thereofto control the operation of said data applying mechanism.

17. A keyboard control unit as claimed in claim 16, wherein thepositioning means comprises resilient means for urging one of saidengaging members and its corresponding locking member in thelongitudinal direction of the bar, and stop means provided on the barfor holding the engaging member and the corresponding locking member inposition on the bar, the resilient means urging the engaging member andits corresponding locking member against said stop means.

18. In a data applying machine having a mechanism for applying data on adata carrier and a typewriter arrangement for writing the data whichcomprises a plurality of type levers, a keyboard control unit forcontrolling said data applying mechanism comprising a plurality of keys,a plurality of actuator levers for driving said type levers, means fordriving said actuator 1evers, each respective actuator lever beingdriven by a respective key on said keyboard, a plurality of slidablemembers connected to said actuator levers so as to be driven by thelatter to slide in the longitudinal direction and each having aplurality of fingers provided thereon, a plurality of bars connected tosaid data applying mechanism for controlling the operation of the latterand each rotatable around the longitudinal axis thereof, and a pluralityof engaging members mounted on and rotatable with said bars, meansmounting each of said engaging members on its respective bar forpermitting each engaging member to be individually and selectivelymanually adjusted between a first position in which it is engageablewith a finger to the slidable member and a second position in which itis not engageable with said finger, whereby said bars are selectivelydriven by the slidable member upon operation of the key to rotate aroundthe axes thereof to control the operation of said data applyingmechanism.

v UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent No. 3 768623 Dated October 30 1973 lnventol-(s) Tetsuma Asahi, Norio Hasegawa andKaoru Hozumi It is certified that error appears in the above-identifiedpatent and that said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

Col. 13, line 27; change "aid" to -said--.

line 37; change "togehter" to -together--.

Col. 15, line 31; change "on" to -one-.

Col. 18, line 5; change "to" to -of--.

Signed and sealed this 23rd day of April 19%..

(SEAL) Attest:

EDWARD I LFLETCHER TR. O. MARSHALL DANII Attesting Officer Commissionerof Patents

1. In a data applying machine having a mechanism for applying data on adata carrier, a keyboard control unit for controlling said mechanism,said keyboard control unit comprising a plurality of keys, a pluralityof key-operated members connected to and displaceable upon operation ofsaid keys, a plurality of elongated bar members each rotatable aroundthe longitudinally extending axis thereof and means connecting said barmembers to said data applying mechanism for controlling the operationthereof, and code means coacting between said key-operated members andsaid bar members for causing rotation of said bar members in response todisplacement of said key-operated members by said keys; said code meansincluding a group of first elements with a plurality of said firstelements being mounted on each of said key-operated members, a group ofsecond elements with a plurality of said second elements being Mountedon each of said bar members, and means mounting the elements associatedwith one group on the respective members for permitting said elementsassociated with said one group to be individually manually displacablewith respect to aid respective members between a first position in whichsaid elements associated with said one group are individually engageablewith a selected element associated with the other group and a secondposition in which said elements associated with said one group are notengageable with said selected elements of said other group, and meansfor holding said elements of said one group on and with respect to therespective members to enable said elements of said one group and saidrespective members to move togehter as a unit, whereby said bar membersare selectively driven by the displacement of the key-operated membersaccording to the predetermined engaging relationship between said firstand second elements to cause said bar members to rotate around the axesthereof to control the operation of said data applying mechanism.
 2. Amachine according to claim 1, wherein said first elements are fixedlysecured to the respective key-operated members, and wherein said secondelements are rotatably mounted on their respective bar members forrotation relative to said bar members about the longitudinally extendingaxes thereof, each of said second elements being selectively manuallyswingable relative to its respective bar member about the longitudinalaxis thereof between said first and second positions, said first andsecond positions being angularly displaced from one another, each ofsaid second elements having a radially projecting portion adapted forengagement with a selective one of said first elements when said secondelements are in said first position.
 3. A machine according to claim 2,wherein said holding means includes a locking element disposed adjacenteach of said second elements, said locking elements being nonrotatablysecured to the respective bar members, each said locking element and anassociated second element having locking means coacting therebetween fornonrotatably interconnecting said locking element and said secondelement together when said second element is in either of said first andsecond positions, said second element being axially movable relative toits respective locking element so as to disconnect said locking meansfor enabling said second element to be selectively angularly rotatedbetween said first and second positions, and biassing means normallyresiliently urging said second element and said locking element axiallytoward one another.
 4. A machine according to claim 2, wherein eachkey-operated member comprises a lever member mounted for swingingmovement within a plane which is substantially perpendicular to thelongitudinally extending axes of said bar members, said lever memberhaving an arcuate segment with a plurality of circumferentially spacedfingers projecting radially from the outer periphery thereof, saidfingers comprising said first elements, and said plurality of barmembers being disposed adjacent the outer periphery of said arcuatesegment and being positioned along an arcuate path generatedsubstantially about the center of rotation of said lever member.
 5. Amachine according to claim 1, wherein said first elements are mountedfor rotatable movement on said key-operated members, each of said firstelements being individually selectively rotatable between said first andsecond positions relative to the respective key-operated member, saidfirst and second positions being angularly spaced from one another.
 6. Amachine according to claim 5, wherein said holding means comprisesspring detent means mounted on said key-operated member and coactingwith each of said first members for resiliently maintaining each of saidfirst members in either of said first or second positions.
 7. A machineaccording to claim 5, wherein each of said key-operated members ismounted for reciprocaTing movement within a plane substantiallyperpendicular to the longitudinally extending axes of said bar members,said bar members being disposed in substantially parallel and adjacentside-by-side relationship so as to extend along one edge of saidkey-operated member, and a plurality of said first elements beingdisposed within a row on each of said key-operated members, the firstelements within each row being disposed with the rotational axes thereofbeing substantially parallel.
 8. A machine according to claim 1, whereinsaid second elements are movably mounted on the respective bar membersfor movement between said first and second positions with respect tosaid bar members, and means mounting said second elements on said barmembers for enabling said second elements to be individually andselectively moved radially relative to the respective bar membersbetween said first and second positions, said second position beingspaced radially inwardly from said first position relative to therespective bar member.
 9. A machine according to claim 8, wherein thesecond elements are nonrotatably fixed relative to the respective barmembers, and spring means coacting between said second elements and therespective bar members for resiliently maintaining said second elementsin either of the selected first or second positions.
 10. A machineaccording to claim 9, wherein said second elements comprise plate-likemembers which extend through a slot formed in the respective bar memberand project radially from the respective bar member, the respective barmember having a hollow portion formed therein in the vicinity of theplate-like member and said spring means being disposed within saidhollow portion and coacting between said plate-like member and said barmember for maintaining said plate-like member in the selected first orsecond position.
 11. In a data applying machine having a mechanism forapplying data on a data carrier, a keyboard control unit for controllingsaid mechanism comprising a plurality of keys, a plurality ofkey-operated members connected to and displaceable upon operation ofsaid keys and each having a plurality of engaging members attachedthereto and a plurality of bars each rotatable around the longitudinalaxis thereof and connected to said data applying mechanism, meansmovably mounting each of said engaging members on its respectivekey-operated member for permitting each engaging member to beindividually and selectively manually displaced between a first positionin which it is engageable with one of said bars and a second position inwhich it is not engageable with said bars, the bars being selectivelydriven according to the displacement of the key-operated member torotate around axes thereof to control the operation of said dataapplying mechanism.
 12. A keyboard control unit as claimed in claim 11wherein resilient means is provided adjacent each of said engagingmembers for holding the engaging member alternatively in the first andthe second positions, and stopper means mounted on the key-operatedmember and coacting with each said engaging member for holding theengaging member in the engageable position when said engaging memberengages on of said bars.
 13. In a data applying machine having amechanism for applying data on a data carrier, a keyboard control unitfor controlling said mechanism comprising a plurality of keys, aplurality of key-operated members arranged in parallel and eachconnected to a corresponding key, each of said key-operated membershaving a plurality of fingers projecting therefrom, support frame meansremovable from a machine frame, a plurality of bars rotatably supportedby and removable from said support frame means and arranged in parallelwith each other so as to be positioned transversely to said key-operatedmembers when said frame means is fixed to the machine frame, a pluralityof engaging members nonrotatably mounted on and rotatable together withsaid bars and removable therefrom in the longitudinAl direction thereofsaid key-operated members being displaceable perpendicularly to said barmembers, each of said engaging members having a radial projection whichis engageable by a finger of a key-operated member when said supportframe means is fixed to the machine frame, and spacing members mountedon and removable from said bars and each having a width similar to thatof said engaging members, said bars having the engaging members and thespacing members alternatively mounted thereon, said bars beingselectively driven at the engaging members thereof according to thedisplacement of the key-operated member to rotate around the axesthereof to control the operation of said data applying mechanism.
 14. Ina data applying machine having a mechanism for applying data on a datacarrier, a keyboard control unit for controlling said mechanismcomprising a plurality of keys, a plurality of key-operated membersconnected to and displaceable upon operation of said keys and eachhaving a plurality of fingers extending therefrom, a plurality of barsrotatable around the longitudinal axes thereof and connected to saiddata applying mechanism, each of said bars having a plurality of axiallyspaced slots extending radially thereof, and a plurality of engagingplates inserted in said slots of said bars and each plate beingindividually and selectively manually adjustable in the radial directionwith respect to the bar between an outer position in which it isengageable at an end portion thereof by a finger of a key-operatedmember and an inner position in which it is not engageable with saidfinger, said bars being selectively driven according to the displacementof a key-operated member to rotate around the axes thereof to controlthe operation of said data applying mechanism.
 15. A keyboard controlunit as claimed in claim 14, wherein each of the bars has a resilientmember inserted in a center hole thereof, said resilient member engagingone of said plates for holding same in either the inner or outerpositions.
 16. In a data applying machine having a mechanism forapplying data on a data carrier, a keyboard control unit for controllingsaid mechanism comprising a plurality of keys, a plurality ofkey-operated members connected to and displaceable upon operation ofsaid keys and each having a plurality of fingers extending therefrom, aplurality of bars each rotatable around the longitudinal axis thereofand connected to said data applying mechanism for controlling theoperation of the latter, a plurality of engaging members each axiallyslidably mounted on and rotatable relative to said bars and each havinga projection, a respective engaging member of a bar corresponding to arespective finger of a key-operated member, a plurality of lockingmembers axially slidably mounted on and nonrotatably connected with saidbars, releasable coupling means coacting between each locking member andone of said engaging members for nonrotatably connecting said engagingmember to said bar to permit co-rotation thereof, the coupling of theengaging member with the corresponding locking member being manuallyreleasable due to said engaging member and the corresponding lockingmember being relatively axially moved away from one another, and meansfor positioning said coupled engaging members on the bars in theposition in which said engaging members are aligned with saidkey-operated members, each said engaging member being selectively andindividually manually rotatable relative to its respective bar between afirst position in which its projection is engageable with said fingerand a second position in which its projection is not engageable withsaid finger, said bars being selectively driven according to thedisplacement of a key-operated member to rotate around said axes thereofto control the operation of said data applying mechanism.
 17. A keyboardcontrol unit as claimed in claim 16, wherein the positioning meanscomprises resilient means for urging one of said engaging members andits corresponding locking member in the longitudinal direction of thebar, and stop means provided on the bar for holding the engaging memberand the corresponding locking member in position on the bar, theresilient means urging the engaging member and its corresponding lockingmember against said stop means.
 18. In a data applying machine having amechanism for applying data on a data carrier and a typewriterarrangement for writing the data which comprises a plurality of typelevers, a keyboard control unit for controlling said data applyingmechanism comprising a plurality of keys, a plurality of actuator leversfor driving said type levers, means for driving said actuator levers,each respective actuator lever being driven by a respective key on saidkeyboard, a plurality of slidable members connected to said actuatorlevers so as to be driven by the latter to slide in the longitudinaldirection and each having a plurality of fingers provided thereon, aplurality of bars connected to said data applying mechanism forcontrolling the operation of the latter and each rotatable around thelongitudinal axis thereof, and a plurality of engaging members mountedon and rotatable with said bars, means mounting each of said engagingmembers on its respective bar for permitting each engaging member to beindividually and selectively manually adjusted between a first positionin which it is engageable with a finger of the slidable member and asecond position in which it is not engageable with said finger, wherebysaid bars are selectively driven by the slidable member upon operationof the key to rotate around the axes thereof to control the operation ofsaid data applying mechanism.